Proud Boys MAGA DC march kilts made by LGBTQ-owned company that has since removed them from sale
‘It was insane to me that folks in that group could have used our stuff,’ says fashion company boss
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kilts worn by members of the far-right group Proud Boys at a recent Trump MAGA march in Washington DC have been removed from sale by the LGBTQ-owned company that made the garments.
Virginia-based fashion brand Verillas said it was "disgusted" that the those associated with a "fascist terrorist" organisation had donned its knee-length skirts.
The company said it plans to remove the kilts and donated $1000 to civil rights organisation National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
That figure, Verillas said, was equivalent to the value of the number of kilts spotted in one photograph flagged by a DC-based journalist showing Proud Boys wearing the traditional Gaelic dress.
“It was insane to me that folks in that group could have used our stuff,” Verillas vice president, Justin LaRose, told Dazed in an interview published on Sunday.
He added: “Within the first hour my feeling of powerlessness was gone. It felt existentially wrong to be associated with that group of people and the first thing I realised is that taking gains from them was unacceptable.
“We weren’t satisfied with neutralising the situation, we had to counter it.”
“We’ve got plans to modify them and reclaim [the kilts] in a way that can enhance our defiance.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the yellow and black kilts worn by Proud Boys at the rally were not visible on the company's website.
Proud Boys were among thousands of Trump supporters who marched in downtown DC over the weekend in a show of support for the president's attempts to overturn the election result.
At least four people were stabbed during violent clashes between Trump loyalists and counter-protesters.
Proud Boys, which says it is a free speech organisation, has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments